Toy Storage Brilliance

As a kid, I had the coolest Lego storage bag ever. When it was open, it was a round piece of denim with cord weaving in and out of grommets along the edge, thus making a drawstring around the circumference (can you picture that?). The Legos would go to the center of the mat, and I'd pull the drawstring and hang the satchel on its proper hook. I never understood why this system went out of style because it's quite brilliant. (If this still exists, please let me know!)

 

When I landed on this project by Soozs, I had a total flashback. Only she's kicked it up a notch. She wanted a place to keep her daughter's barnyard toys, so she created a bag turned play-mat turned backdrop for the animals. Not only does it solve the storage issue, but it also provides an imaginative play world. I heart it! (Check out this talented Aussie's book called Making Stuff for Kids. It looks like a must-have!)

Thanks to Write, Mama, Write for the link!   

Comments

[Michelle Q]

What memories!!! We had that *exact* Lego bag (dark denim, I believe the cord was red) . . . good stuffs! I'll certainly be checking these out!

[Elizabeth]

Me too! Same exact Lego bag, and yes it was a red cord! It was technically my brother's, and he kept all his space Legos in it (complete with a Lego mat with craters in it). I was just telling someone about this two days ago, and saying how sad I was when my mom threw it away. I really would love to have that drawstring bag for my kids! Maybe now I can...

[tami]

I have a friend who makes blankets like these so you can have a place for baby to play, then quickly clean it up; very useful for a day at the park.

[JenO]

I didn't have that lego mat (altho I'm sure my mom would have loved it, we were big lego kids!) I'm thinking it wouldn't be too hard to make one. It's just a big, denim circle, right? (prolly two layers for strength?) The hardest part would be talking my hubby into doing the grommets for me. ;)

Oh, now I am so thinking about what other great storage ideas I could do with these!! A bag for all toy sets!

[Andrea]

I had that Lego bag too! I always thought my mom had made it but now I guess not because it was the same dark denim and red cord everyone else is describing. It was great! I love this idea too my daughter is a huge animal lover. I'm going to look into this book for sure!

[Life As I Know It]

wow, very cool! Love that idea.

We just have big, ugly plastic lego bins taking over our house!

[paula pughe]

hi, i am currently working on a producing these bags, they will be in my ebay shop as soon as i have them made. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Paulas-Personalised-Gifts

[Mary Johnson]

where can I purchase some of these blankets? fitlifeofnaples@comcast.net

[Kris]

Fond memories of that bag! I am trying to make one right now for my kids for Christmas. Have you found anyone making them yet? It would be so much easier to buy one.